As part of its continued commitment to halving its environmental impact by 2025, Vodacom is helping consumers make conscious purchasing choices when picking a mobile handset.
Vodacom has introduced the pan-industry Eco Rating for mobile phones across multiple brands with distinct labelling at point of sale where these devices are available.
The Eco Rating initiative has been created jointly by Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica (operating under the O2 and Movistar brands), Telia Company as well as Vodafone, to provide consistent, accurate information at retail on the environmental impact of producing, using, transporting and disposing of smartphones and feature phones. Eco Rating also aims to encourage consumers to choose from a wider range of phones and demonstrate the demand for more sustainable electronics.
A mobile phone device will carry an overall Eco Rating score out of a maximum of 100 to signal the environmental performance of the device across its entire life cycle. The Eco Rating label will also highlight five key aspects of mobile device sustainability, providing additional information about durability, repairability, recyclability, climate efficiency and resource efficiency.
Jorge Mendes, Chief Officer of Consumer Business, Vodacom
At Vodacom, we have always believed that business success should not come at a cost to the planet, and we have made a commitment to halve our environmental impact by 2025. To this end, we are investing in technology initiatives that can assist in creating a sustainable future while raising awareness of how consumers can join us in working together to preserve our natural resource base. The Eco Rating scheme is one such opportunity to drive transparency for consumers by identifying and comparing mobile devices that reduce negative impacts on our environment today for a better future.
